Geoffrey Rush suing Telegraph for defamation

UPDATE: Award-winning actor Geoffrey Rush is suing the Daily Telegraph for allegations published about his behaviour with a fellow actor on stage.

The Sydney tabloid will defend its reporting.

“It is an action I am taking in order to redress the slurs, innuendo and hyperbole that they have created around my standing in the entertainment industry and in the greater community,” the 66-year-old told reporters at his lawyer’s office in Melbourne this afternoon.

“The Daily Telegraph has made false, pejorative and demeaning claims — splattering them with unrelenting bombast on its front pages.

“This has created irreparable damage to my reputation, has been extremely hurtful to my wife, my daughter and my son, and to my extended family, as well as to many colleagues in the film, television and theatre industry.”

The allegations of inappropriate behaviour date back to a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016.

Telegraph editor Chris Dore was quick to respond to news of the legal action.

“The Daily Telegraph accurately reported the Sydney Theatre Company received a complaint alleging that Mr Geoffrey Rush had engaged in inappropriate behaviour,” he said in a brief statement.

“We will defend our position in court.”

The defamation suit was filed in the Federal Court of Australia today. No date has been set for the matter to be mentioned.

“The situation is intolerable and I must now seek vindication of my good name through the courts,” Mr Rush said.

He declined to take questions.

Rush’s lawyer, Nicholas Pullen, said police had not been in contact with his client over the allegations.

Rush stepped down as president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts on Saturday after the allegations surfaced.

The Australian actor is a stalwart of Australian theatre, won the 1997 best actor Academy Award for Shine, and has three other Oscar nominations.